Pros and Cons of Raw Diets for Dogs and Precautions

DigestiveQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

We’ve compiled a veterinary-evidence-based overview covering the pros and cons of raw diets for dogs, risks of bacterial contamination, issues of nutritional imbalance, and safe feeding practices.

Are Raw Diets for Dogs Really Safe?

A bowl of fresh raw dog food containing fresh raw meat and vegetables

Raw diets for dogs are unprocessed feeding regimens based on uncooked raw meat, bones, organs, and vegetables. This approach involves feeding uncooked ingredients such as raw meat, bones, organs, and vegetables in their natural state. While interest in raw diets has been growing among dog owners recently, veterinary nutrition experts continue to express concerns about safety. Let’s carefully review the pros and cons, as well as important precautions, based on veterinary evidence.

Types of Raw Diets

Raw diets are generally categorized into three main types.

Homemade raw diets: These are prepared by pet owners who personally combine raw meat, bones, organs, vegetables, and other ingredients. While this approach offers high flexibility, achieving a balanced nutritional profile is the most challenging aspect.

Commercial frozen raw diets: These products are formulated by specialized companies with precise nutritional design and sold in a frozen state. They offer convenience, but maintaining proper temperature control during distribution is essential.

Freeze-dried raw diets: These are processed using freeze-drying technology to preserve raw meat. They are convenient to store and highly portable, but they require additional water to be added before feeding to ensure proper hydration.

Benefits of Raw Diets

These are the main benefits often cited by pet owners who support raw diets.

Coat improvement: Unprocessed natural fatty acids may help promote healthy skin and coat.

Dental health: Chewing raw bones is believed to help remove tartar.

Digestive absorption: Because there is no processing, the bioavailability of nutrients may be higher.

Food allergy management: Since only a single protein source can be selected, raw diets are sometimes used to manage food allergies.

However, it is important to remember that many of these claimed benefits have not been sufficiently validated by large-scale clinical studies.

A healthy Golden Retriever with a shiny, lustrous coat

Risks of Raw Diets

The risks of raw diets have been consistently highlighted in the veterinary community.

Bacterial contamination: Pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter can be present in raw meat, posing an infection risk not only to dogs but also to their owners.

Nutritional imbalance: According to veterinary nutrition textbooks, many homemade raw diets lack the correct ratios of essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Bone-related injuries: Although raw bones carry a relatively lower risk of tooth fracture compared to cooked bones, they can still produce sharp fragments. Cases of obstruction in the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine have been reported, which can be life-threatening.

Parasitic infection: Meat that has not been properly frozen carries a risk of parasitic infection, which can spread to both the dog and other family members.

A puppy getting a check-up at the animal hospital

Infection Risk to Owners and Family Members

Salmonella and E. coli bacteria found in raw pet food can infect not only dogs but also people living in the same household. This is especially important to consider if you have children, elderly family members, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Veterinary textbooks and numerous studies consistently warn about the infection risks for those preparing raw food and their household members, particularly those who are immunocompromised.

Comparison: Commercial Pet Food vs. Raw Diets

Let’s compare the key differences between commercially available pet food and raw diets.

Category	Commercial Pet Food	Raw Diet
Nutritional Balance	Meets AAFCO standards	Requires custom formulation
Bacterial Risk	Sterilized during processing	Risk of contamination
Convenience	High	Low (requires storage and thawing)
Cost	Relatively affordable	Relatively expensive
Palatability	Varies by product	Generally high
Shelf Life	Long	Short (must be frozen)

How to Safely Feed a Raw Diet

If you still wish to try a raw diet, it’s essential to follow safe feeding guidelines.

Consult a veterinary nutritionist: Starting without a balanced nutritional plan almost certainly leads to nutrient imbalances. Always follow a recipe designed by a professional.

Maintain strict hygiene: Thoroughly disinfect any bowls, cutting boards, and hands that come into contact with raw meat using a proper cleanser, and wash your dog’s dishes with hot water after every use.

Proper freezing and thawing: Adequate freezing helps reduce the risk of parasites. Thaw food slowly in the refrigerator, and never refreeze once-thawed items.

Transition gradually: Switching abruptly from kibble can cause digestive upset. Gradually increase the proportion of raw food over several days while monitoring your dog’s response.

A kitchen that prepares raw food hygienically

When to Avoid Raw Diets

We do not recommend raw dog food for dogs in the following situations: • Growing puppies under 12 months of age — a period when balanced nutrition is especially important • Dogs with compromised immune systems — such as those undergoing cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressive medications • Dogs with gastrointestinal diseases — including pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease • Pregnant or lactating dogs — a time when nutritional needs change rapidly • Households with immunocompromised individuals (such as infants or elderly people)

Key Points to Discuss with Your Vet

If you’re considering a raw food diet, there are a few key things to discuss with your vet first.

Health Check: Start by confirming whether a raw diet is suitable for your dog’s current health status. If there are any liver or kidney issues, the protein ratio may need to be adjusted.

Regular Blood Tests: Once you begin feeding raw, it’s a good idea to monitor your dog’s nutritional status with blood tests every 3–6 months.

Track Weight Changes: Keep a close eye on your dog’s weight after switching to raw feeding. If you notice any sudden changes, it may be time to adjust the diet.

Most importantly, don’t start a raw diet based solely on information found online. The safest approach is to work with a veterinary nutrition specialist.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to feed my dog raw meat every day?

If the diet is designed to provide balanced nutrition, it can be fed daily, but it must strictly follow a recipe formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Feeding raw meat alone every day can lead to nutritional imbalances.

Will switching to raw food change my pet’s stool?

Switching to a raw diet can change your dog’s stool consistency. However, commonly cited changes like “less stool volume and firmer stools” are not well-supported by veterinary textbooks. Sudden diet changes can cause digestive issues, so transition gradually over several days while monitoring your dog’s response. If diarrhea or bloody stools occur, stop feeding the raw diet immediately and consult your veterinarian.

What types of raw bones should I give my pet?

Raw bones pose a lower risk of tooth fractures compared to cooked bones, but they can still splinter into sharp fragments that may damage the gastrointestinal mucosa or cause obstructions. Regardless of the bone’s size or hardness, always supervise your dog while it is chewing and promptly remove any broken pieces. Never give cooked bones, as they are far more likely to splinter and injure the digestive tract.

Are commercially available frozen raw pet foods safe?

While they may offer better nutritional balance than homemade diets, raw or minimally processed options still carry risks of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances unless they undergo proper processing and sterilization. Make sure the product meets AAFCO standards, and carefully verify that it was kept frozen throughout distribution.

Can I mix raw food with regular pet food?

While feeding a mixed diet is possible, some experts caution that the differing digestion rates of dry kibble and raw food can place unnecessary stress on your pet’s stomach. To be on the safe side, especially when starting out, it’s better to separate the meals—such as offering dry kibble in the morning and raw food in the evening.

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References

[1] Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, 2nd Ed, Andrea J. Fascetti, Sean J. Delaney, Chapter 8: Commercial and Home-Prepared Diets

[2] Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat, 4th Ed, Chapter 25: Nutritional Support

[3] Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP. Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2013;243(11):1549-1558

[4] Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Ed, Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, Roudebush P, Chapter 13: Homemade Diets

[5] The Dog Care Handbook: Things I Wish My Vet Had Told Me, Little M